I have received an email asking to translate EU materials. The rate was reasonable and fairly good. They said that they found me on PROZ.

However, their PM uses gmail, and it doesn't look like they have a site; neither I was able to find any information about them over the Internet.

This is their information and address:
White Interpreting and Translating Service
2/340 Bourke St
Melbourne
VIC 3000 Australia

The PM's name is Katherine White

Has anyone worked for them? If yes, what is your experience?

Thank you!

Hi,

Looks like they are not a "white service" , in fact the opposite is probably true as the question "why a professional wants to hide contact points? can it be because they are in "black service" biz? I am just saying

All the best
Derya

[Edited at 2016-03-18 02:37 GMT]

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I got one of these (strange mail) from another person with initials K.W.

Mar 18, 2016

...but not the person you mention.

This person asked for my rate first and then sent a base64 "PDF" attachment I am scared to open.
I just have a funny feeling - very little info except to ask for my rate and then to ask for a quote. But
the salutation was...odd.

That said, I have been written to through this site by perfectly valid real people (yes, some with poor English) who turned out to be very honest and good customers.

edit: checked IP address and they are not in Oz...

[Edited at 2016-03-18 08:00 GMT]

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I'm always left wondering why people prefer to ask in this group, where we know nothing more then what you tell us, and then indulge in all sorts of speculation and conspiracy theories instead of just asking the suspicious client.

Do you have something like a VAT number in Australia and a registry of business subjects (incl. small freelancers)? If so, that'd be my question. Asking for a prepayment.... it can be a good tactic if they send you like 200-300% of the amount, otherwise I can't imagine any of agencies I know to be willing to do this (i.e. to send a genuine prepayment). So imho it'd actually be a sign the agency is legit, if they refuse.

My thought was also it can be a small one-person agency but I've been working for a couple of them and even the tiniest always had a website (though some use free email addresses). It's no special costs or trouble nowadays, so why wouldn't they have one.... but again, the right person to answer this would be the "owner".

[Edited at 2016-03-18 11:14 GMT]

[Edited at 2016-03-18 11:15 GMT]

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Dan LucasUnited Kingdom Local time: 21:25Member (2014) Japanese to English

Not sure how that would work?

Mar 18, 2016

Katarzyna Slowikova wrote:
but again, the right person to answer this would be the "owner".

Here's how that conversation might go.
OP: "So, are you a scammer?"
Scammer: (in tones of amazement) "Yes, actually I am! I... But... How did you know?! Drat! I will immediately give myself up to the nearest police station."
OP: "Hah, justice shall prevail!"

Katarzyna Slowikova wrote:
but again, the right person to answer this would be the "owner".

Here's how that conversation might go.
OP: "So, are you a scammer?"
Scammer: (in tones of amazement) "Yes, actually I am! I... But... How did you know?! Drat! I will immediately give myself up to the nearest police station."
OP: "Hah, justice shall prevail!"

In the sentence you quote "this" referred to the fact she doesn't have a website. You can perfectly reasonably inquire about this or why is she using a gmail address, or couple of other things. I would also have no problem with explaining why I'm asking - because it doesn't look trustworthy. A reasonable person wouldn't take an offense, quite contrary, imho. Any answer you get back is more material to analyze.
But sure, you/boostrer can ask her straight away "are you a scammer". Be sure to report how that conversation unfolded.

[Edited at 2016-03-18 11:10 GMT]

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